# The best classic men's fragrances

The men's fragrances that defined an era and still sell, according to Fragrantica's forums, classic fragrance rankings and perfume history. With their launch year.

- 39 votes · 16 items
- Jun 4, 2025 · chollos_sin_prisa
- https://even.best/en/l/92/the-best-classic-men-s-fragrances

## Top 15

1. **Dior Sauvage (2015)** (5 · ▲5 ▼0) — Bergamot and ambroxan; the world's best-selling men's fragrance in recent years and first in classic rankings.
2. **Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò (1996)** (4 · ▲4 ▼0) — Marine and citrus freshness that defined men's fragrance in the 1990s.
3. **Terre d'Hermès (2006)** (4 · ▲4 ▼0) — Orange, pepper and mineral vetiver, by Jean-Claude Ellena.
4. **Creed Aventus (2010)** (2 · ▲3 ▼1) — Pineapple, smoky birch and musk; the most imitated niche fragrance in the world.
5. **Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male (1995)** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Lavender, mint and vanilla in the famous sailor's torso bottle; it broke the mould.
6. **Chanel Bleu de Chanel (2010)** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Woody citrus with incense, one of the best-sellers of the last decade.
7. **Givenchy Gentleman (1974)** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Patchouli, leather and honey; reformulated in 2017 as a sweeter scent.
8. **Calvin Klein CK One (1994)** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — The first big unisex fragrance, green tea and citrus.
9. **Dior Homme Intense (2011)** (1 · ▲2 ▼1) — Warm powdery iris, a forum favourite as an elegant evening scent.
10. **Paco Rabanne Pour Homme (1973)** (1 · ▲2 ▼1) — Rosemary, lavender and moss fougère that became a reference of the genre.
11. **Guerlain Vetiver (1959)** (1 · ▲2 ▼1) — Clean, dry vetiver, a byword for classic elegance.
12. **Davidoff Cool Water (1988)** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Pioneer of aquatic fragrances, with mint and lavender.
13. **4711 Echt Kölnisch Wasser (1792)** (0 · ▲1 ▼1) — The original eau de Cologne from Cologne, light citrus, still produced.
14. **Guy Laroche Drakkar Noir (1982)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — The aromatic fougère you smelled in every 1980s nightclub.
15. **Yves Saint Laurent M7 (2002)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — The first Western designer fragrance with oud.
16. **Dior Fahrenheit (1988)** (-2 · ▲0 ▼2) — Violet with leather and petrol notes, a strange and unmistakable classic.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.